By: Toni Carey (@toni_carey/@blackgirlsrun.com)
A little over a month ago, we announced the launch of our first “Preserve the Sexy” tour. We wanted to somehow take the essence of Black Girls RUN! on the road to introduce more women to the BGR! Nation and ultimately get more women hitting the pavement! We knew “going on tour” would be the perfect opportunity to do just that.
But what cities would we hit? How many cities could we visit and still make a substantial impact? It seemed like a tall order to fill, but quite frankly, it sounded like a good time and we were up for the challenge. And for the sake of being 100% honest, Ashley and I are travel junkies! Nothing gets us more jazzed than being in airports and exploring new cities (in that order).
We knew that Nashville, our old stomping grounds and my hometown, had to be our first stop. But, there were a few other reasons why the Music City had to be number one.
Not only is Tennessee in the “Stroke Belt”, check out its obesity rates. Among Tennessee's adults age 18 and over:

67.2% of adults were overweight, with a Body Mass Index of 25 or greater

30.8% of adults were obese, with a Body Mass Index of 30 or greater

Ironically, Tennessee is also home to some of the most beautiful parks and outdoor activities. So how can the obesity rate possibly be that high? For me, it was lack of exposure. Even in college, our idea of hanging out was at a bar or having a house party. Never did it once cross our minds to take a trip to the Smokey Mountains or go kayaking. (Except for that one time when we planned a team building exercise for our sorority that happened to be in the middle of nowhere….literally. Thanks Ashley).
It’s funny that you never miss what you have (or didn’t realize you had) until it’s gone. While hindsight is 20/20 and my life has taken me to other parts of the country, I now make a conscience effort to take in and appreciate my surroundings. Below are a few of my favorite running spots in Nashville.